"Roots and Versions" is the most recent album by MiriamRamos

September 28, 2020

"Roots and Versions" is Miriam Ramos's most recent album release. A double album, where the artist is accompanied by renowned instrumentalists.

"It is necessary to revisit the classics, to retrace the milestones of Cuban song. I advocate for contemporary creativity, I accept the natural evolution of musical work, but we must return to our roots in order to move forward, especially when you live in a privileged country like ours, in which the musical heritage we have is so valuable. One must study a great deal and it will always be worthwhile to pay homage to those who have left us such a universal legacy."

This is the firm conviction of singer, composer, and guitarist Miriam Ramos, who has spent more than half a century (55 years to be exact) making the song her own, aware that it is a genre that makes her happy and that should be cultivated more.

"The song is in the hands of the most intelligent people, and it will continue to be. Not everyone can compose. I, for example, consider myself a composer in a second or third tier... There is much to be said, there are many ways to say it, and it is not always done well. That is why I return to the past, which continues to be the present."

That is, perhaps, the fundamental reason that led her to dream up the album project Roots and Versions, sharing production with Dayron Ortega. "I've been working on this double album project for some time because it's so difficult to coordinate the schedules of each musician, in addition to production limitations. Finally it's ready, recorded at PM Records studios, where professionalism and kindness prevail, and licensed by Bis Music."

She comments that Volume I proposes an approach to classic themes from Cuban trova, "in which Perla Marina does not fail to appear, a song that has been in my life since my debut five decades ago." With guitar, tres, clave, and voice, she gathered themes by Eusebio Delfín, Sindo Garay, Trío Matamoros, among others.

"Volume II is the same repertoire but with the vision of Ernán Lopez-Nussa, who is on piano and, like Dayron, also took on the arrangements. Here the format varies, and we have some songs for piano and voice, piano, voice and cello, among others. I am accompanied by musicians Samuel Burgos on bass and Enrique Plá on drums.

"Precisely a selection of the Volume II repertoire makes up the program of the presentation I will offer to the public at the theater of the Biblioteca Nacional José Martí on Saturday, September 7 at 4 in the afternoon. It is not the official presentation of the album, it is really an excuse I invented for myself to work with Dayron Ortiz, a talented musician who added his chords from his electric guitar on some album tracks."

Miriam Ramos, who continues working at CMBF and Habana Radio on the programs La esquina del jazz and Desde este mundo, reports that, as special guests, she will have Augusto Blanca and Corina Mestre, who will share their texts with interspersed songs, as they have done on other occasions.

Dayron Ortiz is infinitely grateful for the opportunity that Ernán offered him by proposing to work on the album project Roots and Versions, and then, the invitation from Miriam Ramos for this presentation.

Dayron Ortiz. Photo: Twitter Profile

"The experience of the album was wonderful for me because we had time to work the music, study it, rehearse it and, in my case, even find the most correct fingering... It's not usual to record an album this way, because generally we arrive at the studio and there we see what we want and we do what comes naturally to us at that moment. However, the work prior to recording the album was enriching, and some ideas were even developed in that stage, which were later recorded in the album.

"I didn't know Miriam personally and now I can tell you that we have a nice friendship. Every second alongside Miriam is like being in a masterclass. I always learn something, even when we're having a coffee."

He confirms that the repertoire includes themes from Volume II of the project such as And if I get to kiss you, It's not necessary, Perla Marina, In vain, You are in my heart, Oath, Don't mind, That mouth, and Love me and you'll see.

"In addition I will have the opportunity to play three songs of my own, alongside bassist Roberto Vázquez (El Chino). Absence of you, a lullaby that has no title, and the song Paths, which I composed in Venezuela and included in a version on the album Para no parar, by Frasis, but on Saturday I will perform it as I conceived it."